Thursday, January 11, 2024. Every year in our Sh’vat conversations, we note the striking contrast between the deep cold of January where we are, at the edge of the Great Lakes, and the Sh’vat budding of spring trees in Israel. In this season of the trees, our Jewish tradition, acknowledging the first warm breezes of spring, paints the month of Sh’vat with hope, optimism, creativity, and joy in renewal. Our source Mindy Ribner talks of the renewal of the hidden potential in all of us that we experience this month[1]. We who live in cold climates are especially aware of the opportunity to overcome the desolation of winter with inner warmth and joy. In two weeks, our holiday celebrations for Tu B’Shvat, sharing fruit and wine and friendship, will give us ways to do that. In a time when desolation can seem to be all around us, it is important to remember that we can still celebrate the budding of the trees.
Another source, Jill Hammer, recalls the Talmudic story of Rabbi Judah bar Ilai, who danced with joy at weddings, holding branches of myrtle[2]. What a beautiful way to honor a new relationship, and remind us of the renewal that we can experience in the natural world. May we celebrate the natural world we live in this month with joy and creativity, and may we allow our potential for renewal to energize us for the work ahead. – K. Miriam
Our next Rosh Chodesh walking meditation will honor the first month of Adar, Shabbat morning, February 10, 8:30 am. Rain or snow or shine! Contact us for location.
[1] Mindy Ribner, Kabbalah Month by Month, p. 109.
[2] Rabbi Jill Hammer, The Jewish Book of Days, page 164.
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Rosh Chodesh Cleveland 